French President Francois Hollande says he doubts that US president-elect Donald Trump would scrap Iran’s nuclear agreement with world powers.
“This accord gives us all security ... Could the US with Donald Trump put into question this accord? I don’t think so,” Hollande said in an interview with France 24 television on Tuesday.
Trump, who became US president-elect after defeating his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in last week’s election, had repeatedly promised during his campaign that he would “tear up” the deal and renegotiate its terms if he was elected president.
“There is a principle of reality and this deal gives us guarantees. The absence of an accord would be very serious,” Hollande said.
The agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, was struck between Iran and six major powers, namely the US, France, China, Britain, Russia and Germany, in June 2015.
On Monday, US President Barack Obama said Trump is unlikely to alter the JCPOA.
“To unravel a deal that’s working and preventing Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon would be hard to explain,” he said.
Iran denies any military aspects to its nuclear program. Inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency have confirmed its civilian nature.
